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kevgallacher
Rank 2
kevgallacher
Rank 2
March 6, 2024
Solved

Ford EV charging no longer working with Charge Anytime - what's happened?

  • March 6, 2024
  • 142 replies
  • 7529 views

I have a Ford Mach-E and have been using OVO charge anytime for about 4 months now.
But Ford have decided OVO is a security risk and has blocked the account.

Is anyone else using this successfully? Is there any plans for charge anytime to support Ford cars?

    Best answer by Tim_OVO

    Updated on 02/06/25 by Abby_OVO
     

    Charge Anytime update: We’re sorry, we can't offer Charge Anytime through Ford anymore

     

    Since Ford blocked third party access to their vehicle data, we've been working closely with them to find a solution so you can keep Charge Anytime. 

     

    Unfortunately, we now know that Ford won't be able to provide a solution for the foreseeable future. So you won’t be able to get our Charge Anytime rate of 7p per kWh through Direct to Vehicle smart charging. This means you’ll pay your standard electricity unit rate for all EV charging.

     

    We’ll disconnect your vehicle from your Charge Anytime account on 31 July, so you’ll no longer have access to your charging history from that date. We know this is really disappointing, and we’re sorry we’ve not been able to find a solution for you. 

     

    Please note, this affects all energy suppliers, not just OVO. 

     

    You might be able to get Charge Anytime through a compatible charger – please see below for more details. 

     

    We’ve added £25 credit to all our affected customers’ accounts  

     

    To say sorry, we’ve added £25 energy credit to our affected customers’ energy accounts. If you’ve been affected, you’ll see this credit on your next bill. 

     

    You could keep Charge Anytime via a compatible charger

     

    If you have a compatible charger or EV, you can still get Charge Anytime. Just follow these steps:

     

    • Remove Charge Anytime from your account. To do this, go to the Charge Anytime app, select your green user icon, and click delete account. 
    • Delete the app from your phone.
    • Sign up to Charge Anytime again, using your charger details.

     

    If you don’t have one of these compatible chargers, we could install one for you. Head over to our website for more information. 

     

    Some Andersen chargers will also be compatible with Charge Anytime soon. Check if yours will be compatible on our website. 

     

    If you have any questions about this change, you can contact Ford via their website. 

     

    Thanks

    The OVO Team

     

    We’re aware that some Ford drivers are having issues with Charge Anytime

     

    Unfortunately, Ford have blocked smart-charging access to all third parties. This means some of our customers aren’t able to smart-charge with Charge Anytime at the moment. It also means those customers won’t get Charge Anytime credit for charging during this time. We’re sorry about this.

     

    We’re working hard to fix this issue with Ford, and get our affected customers back on Charge Anytime as soon as we can. For now, if you’re having issues with Charge Anytime, follow the instructions in your Ford app to charge your EV.

     

    We’ll post an update here as soon as we have any more information from Ford.

     

    Thanks
    The OVO Team

    142 replies

    Show previous replies
    R
    Newcomer
    rossshepherd
    Newcomer
    July 8, 2024

    I won’t mention this again for now, however I will say it one more time.

    Just because the API exists doesn’t mean you can use it - and at this time Ford does NOT want Energy Suppliers using said API, hence the bans for “Suspicious Activity” if you try.

    OVO has always made it clear that for Charge Anytime to work with insert EV/Charger Vendor Here there must be the proper agreements in place (such as a contract and/or legal agreement to access the data) as well as the technical side like the integration code itself. If either of these are NOT in place, the integration cannot be released, or if it currently exists, must be disabled - especially if the other vendor requests and/or requires it.

    That’s what has happened here - Ford has required ALL Energy Suppliers to cease using FordPass APIs and OVO has to comply whether they want to or not. There is no grandfather rule here either - it’s all or nothing.

    Ford has required ALL Energy Suppliers to cease using FordPass APIs

    err, no they haven't

    Blastoise186
    Super User
    Blastoise186Super User
    Super User
    July 8, 2024

    To discuss this further, please call 0330 175 9678 Option 2 - the Charge Anytime team will talk about it with you directly and will advise on your options.

    There’s nothing more we can do via the Forum at this time.

    Securing energy by zapping security bugs... For that is The Blastoise Way! Remember, I'm just like you - AI Powered Evil Geniuses aren't Staff!
      L
      Rank 2
      Longer
      Rank 2
      July 11, 2024

      I can confirm, moved to Octopus 3 days ago, next day switched into Octopus inteligent tariff and no issues with cheaper charging so OVO is just looking for an excuse... good luck with keeping customers...

        Blastoise186
        Super User
        Blastoise186Super User
        Super User
        July 11, 2024

        As mentioned, this is not OVO exclusive issue. It affects everyone who tries to use Enode.

        It doesn’t matter how often people say it is OVO only - I’m able to dig deeper and was able to confirm what I’m saying. You can literally just call the FordPass Team at Ford and they’ll tell you exactly what I’m saying here.

        Securing energy by zapping security bugs... For that is The Blastoise Way! Remember, I'm just like you - AI Powered Evil Geniuses aren't Staff!
        M
        Newcomer
        mikeandb
        Newcomer
        July 11, 2024

        I have had on and off success with Charge Anytime  but it has been working ok for me for a few weeks now. So if I do get disconnected I’ll be off to Octopus Intelligent as they have confirmed it will work with my Mach E.

          R
          Newcomer
          rossshepherd
          Newcomer
          July 12, 2024

          Seems like Octopus is the way to go for reliable charging. OVO have had 7 months to sort something out and have failed miserably. Don't be fooled by this being big bad Fords fault, there are work arounds that OVO never pursued.

            Blastoise186
            Super User
            Blastoise186Super User
            Super User
            July 12, 2024

            Not always - we do hear cases of Octopus customers getting banned from FordPass as well.

            Ultimately, it’s up to you. However, if you quit OVO over this, then some would argue it’s unwise to moan about it on the Forum after you leave. It’s not something I enforce as such, but something to bear in mind.

            But as mentioned, Ford banned pretty much all suppliers and is refusing to play ball. I have evidence that OVO really did try to find a solution, but it’s under NDA and cannot be published openly.

            Securing energy by zapping security bugs... For that is The Blastoise Way! Remember, I'm just like you - AI Powered Evil Geniuses aren't Staff!
            M
            Newcomer
            mikeandb
            Newcomer
            July 31, 2024

            So OVO disconnected my Ford today from the Charge Anytime app even thought it has been working fine with no FordPass problems! Thanks

            Blastoise186
            Super User
            Blastoise186Super User
            Super User
            July 31, 2024

            @mikeandb In my previous comment I stated that Ford refused to play ball - OVO was forced to do this. Whether it was working for you or not, with no proper agreements in place OVO had no choice but to turn it off completely.

            Securing energy by zapping security bugs... For that is The Blastoise Way! Remember, I'm just like you - AI Powered Evil Geniuses aren't Staff!
              V
              Rank 2
              vix noonan
              Rank 2
              August 11, 2024

              Oh wow go on vacation come back and my Ford is no longer working with OVO. It’s been working fine before this for a month or so after loads of previous issues.

              So frustrated as I would love to replace my Ford right now, but can’t at the moment so stuck with it for now 😩

              Guessing there is no timescale for any resolution to the APIs with Ford. Looks like I need to shop around again for an energy company that doesn’t use APIs 🤦‍♀️😩 These issues look like they will just keep on happening. The loser is always us the customer. 😭

              This really isn’t helping me persuade friends and families to buy an EV!

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